[FX.php List] [OFF] How to create a web bug

DC dan.cynosure at dbmscan.com
Thu Dec 13 20:52:01 MST 2007 

if you decide to test the idea... spam filters be damned (or just not an 
issue) you can make a script that outputs an image that's 1 pixel by 1 
pixel and serve it via php's image and header commands.

<img src="http://example.com/we_are_tracking_you.php?SSN=123-45-6789">

obviously, your tracking code would go in there somewhere - different 
for each person.

still, you won't see any image 'loads' for people who read mail with 
image loading off (most start with it off, but i noticed that leopard's 
mail.app switched mine to load images in mail - bad kitty!). also, the 
image will load multiple times (one for each time the person "loads" it 
into email). so, if a person "reads" your email then lets it sit there 
while they delete other messages, you'll see a stream of "reads" one 
after the other. it's actually one indication that they are saving your 
message.

also, you'll get tagged by some email readers as a web bug and it will 
increase you spam score.

the best way to get people to reply is to promise money. failing that, 
hold their internet service hostage. failing that, offer some other 
incentive.

failing that, send paper - registered mail.

dan


On Dec 13, 2007, at 10:03 AM, Jonathan Schwartz wrote:

 > Hi Folks,
 >
 > I'm about to launch a project that starts with an outbound email 
requesting registrants to update their information.  The email contains 
a personalized link that automatically logs the use in to the web site.
 >
 > Experience shows, however, that many folks don't bother to respond 
because their information has not changed.  In this case, we get no 
response...and don't know whether the person has received the email or not.
 >
 > Is there an easy way to incorporate a "web bug" that essentially 
contacts a web server (fx.php?) to confirm that the email has been 
viewed?  I know that this applies only to html mail...but it's better 
than nothing.
 >
 > I'm also aware that there might be downsides to using a web bug.
 >
 > Anyone have experience in this area?
 >
 > Thx
 >
 > Jonathan
 >
 >
 >
 >
 > --Jonathan Schwartz
 > Exit 445 Group
 > jonathan at exit445.com
 > http://www.exit445.com
 > 415-381-1852
 > _______________________________________________
 > FX.php_List mailing list
 > FX.php_List at mail.iviking.org
 > http://www.iviking.org/mailman/listinfo/fx.php_list




Steve Winter had written:
> Hi Jonathan,
> 
> You could try asking for a read receipt... in many mail clients when you
> open an email which has requested a receipt a dialog automatically pops up,
> which you can click send on... because it's 'In their face' more people
> might be inclined to hit 'Send'...
> 
> Then if the reply-to address for the message was a mailbox specifically for
> that purpose, you could have FMP gather that mail, match the email address
> to the specific user, and create a new record saying 'they read the mail'...
> 
> (Have been there, have done very similar, though not with read receipts so
> don't know what your specific take up would be...)
> 
> Cheers
> Steve
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: fx.php_list-bounces at mail.iviking.org
> [mailto:fx.php_list-bounces at mail.iviking.org] On Behalf Of Jonathan Schwartz
> Sent: 13 December 2007 16:22
> To: alex at gandrpublishing.com; FX.php Discussion List
> Subject: Re: [FX.php List] [OFF] How to create a web bug
> 
> Thanks Alex and Bob,
> 
> You've confirmed my suspicions about web bugs.
> 
> I can easily handle responses if they click the link.  However, we 
> just have to guess that non-response equates to either approval, 
> indifference or non-receipt of email.
> 
> Their loss. ;-)
> 
> J
> 
> 
> At 10:02 AM -0600 12/13/07, Alex Gates wrote:
>> A agree with Bob -
>> I think the headache with spam blockers will outweigh the possible
> benefits.
>> Perhaps you could add a link to change information and also another 
>> link that users could click on to indicate their information is 
>> still current.
>>
>>
>> Bob Patin wrote:
>>> I'd avoid that... that's how a lot of spammers work, and I'm 
>>> wondering whether your emails might get flagged because they're 
>>> sending something back.
>>>
>>> I think that the easiest method would be to put a confirm link in 
>>> the email itself.
>>>
>>> http://domain.com/confirm.php&r=123
>>>
>>> You could put the id# in the email by generating emails from 
>>> FileMaker, and then when they click the link it'd write to the 
>>> database and perhaps create a log file showing who read the email, 
>>> and when.
>>>
>>> Just an idea,
>>>
>>> Bob Patin
>>> Longterm Solutions
>>> bob at longtermsolutions.com
>>> 615-333-6858
>>> http://www.longtermsolutions.com
>>> Member of FileMaker Business Alliance and FileMaker TechNet
>>>
>>>   CONTACT US VIA INSTANT MESSAGING:
>>>      AIM or iChat: longterm1954
>>>      Yahoo: longterm_solutions
>>>      MSN: tech at longtermsolutions.com
>>>      ICQ: 159333060
>>>
>>> --------------------------
>>> Contact us for FileMaker hosting and programming for all versions 
>>> of FileMaker
>>> PHP * CDML * Full email services * Free DNS hosting * Colocation *
> Consulting
>>> On Dec 13, 2007, at 9:03 AM, Jonathan Schwartz wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi Folks,
>>>>
>>>> I'm about to launch a project that starts with an outbound email 
>>>> requesting registrants to update their information.  The email 
>>>> contains a personalized link that automatically logs the use in to 
>>>> the web site.
>>>>
>>>> Experience shows, however, that many folks don't bother to respond 
>>>> because their information has not changed.  In this case, we get 
>>>> no response...and don't know whether the person has received the 
>>>> email or not.
>>>>
>>>> Is there an easy way to incorporate a "web bug" that essentially 
>>>> contacts a web server (fx.php?) to confirm that the email has been 
>>>> viewed?  I know that this applies only to html mail...but it's 
>>>> better than nothing.
>>>>
>>>> I'm also aware that there might be downsides to using a web bug.
>>>>
>>>> Anyone have experience in this area?
>>>>
>>>> Thx
>>>>
>>>> Jonathan
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Jonathan Schwartz
>>>> Exit 445 Group
>>>> jonathan at exit445.com
>>>> http://www.exit445.com
>>>> 415-381-1852
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> FX.php_List mailing list
>>>> FX.php_List at mail.iviking.org
>>>> http://www.iviking.org/mailman/listinfo/fx.php_list
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> FX.php_List mailing list
>>> FX.php_List at mail.iviking.org
>>> http://www.iviking.org/mailman/listinfo/fx.php_list
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> FX.php_List mailing list
>> FX.php_List at mail.iviking.org
>> http://www.iviking.org/mailman/listinfo/fx.php_list
> 
>

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